Leadership and unity key for Cards’ future

The season has been full of ups and downs for the Plattsburgh State tennis team so far, however, coming into this weekend they have a chance to improve their record to 6-3 against another pair of nonconference opponents.

“I think that all we have to do is stay positive,” junior Shari Forman said. “We can’t let negative thoughts take over the game and to maintain a positive mindset.”

The Cardinals split their last weekend of matches in completely opposite ways, losing to SUNY New Paltz 9-0 Friday, then defeating Castleton University 9-0 Sunday.

“New Paltz is a very tough team to play against,” senior Sarah Drexinger said. “It was definitely two very different dynamics and styles of play having to play them prior to Castleton.”

PSUC has lost two out of the three SUNYAC matches they’ve had this season, which puts the team in an awkward position as the end of the regular season rapidly approaches.

“Although tennis is somewhat considered an individual sport, it is important to have a strong team dynamic,” Drexinger said. “Having good team chemistry and knowing your strengths and weaknesses is important coming into each match.”

Despite losing in both matches they played in against New Paltz last weekend, Drexinger and doubles teammate junior Shari Forman rebounded against Castleton the day after by taking both of their singles matches as well as their doubles match which they paired up to win 8-0.

“We have really good chemistry as doubles partners,” Drexinger said. “We’re able to communicate well on the court. I really like playing with Shari.”

The combination of Drexinger and Forman in their doubles matches this season has led PSUC to success this season, giving them a positive outlook on their upcoming matches.

Following the shutout victory against Castleton, the Cards match up this weekend against familiar nonconference opponents in Bard College and Mount Saint Mary College, whom PSUC was able to defeat both teams last year.

“We never try to worry about what happened last year,” senior Taylor Tessitore said. “I think what we learned from last year, however, gives us the ability for us to bring in the confidence we need in order to do well.”

As the short season winds down, PSUC feels good about its record of 4-3, however, do see a lot to improve upon coming into SUNYAC play.

“As a team, I feel like we are ready for the challenges ahead of us,” Tessitore said. “We prepare for every match like we do for any opponent.”

The Cards have met SUNYAC opponents already this season, but has struggled to dominate in those matches, as they were able to beat Cortland in a close 5-4 victory, but fell to Oneonta and New Paltz, who including PSUC, are the teams that make up the East division within the competitive SUNYAC conference.

“Up until this year I think every year we’ve come in last,” Tessitore said. “But this year we are in a deadlock battle for second place and it’s really building our confidence as a team knowing that we can go in a make a run for SUNYACs.”

With the team primarily being comprised of a strong senior class, the upperclassmen know that their performances and attitude rubs off on the younger players on the team and even the future players as well.